Coonoor

Coonoor (Tamil : குன்னூர் )is a city and a municipality in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated 71 km from Coimbatore and is known for its production of Nilgiri tea. Recently it has  experienced a growing networked economy and a significant influx of tourists.

Coonoor’s economy relies on seasonal tourist traffic during the summer months, and on the tea industry year round.

The local populace almost entirely depends on the tea trade. The massive private tea plantations that surround the hills produce fresh green tea leaves which are picked, processed and packaged in bulk in local factories, for sale at auction houses in Coonoor, Coimbatore and Cochin.

Sims Park is the star attraction of Coonoor. Spread over 12 hectares, its small enough for a comfortable walk around and large enough to house a thousand varieties of trees, plants and flowers and a small lake.
The hills are among the more scenic spots in Tamil Nadu, and consequently attract enormous amounts of tourists during the hot Indian summer months. The town’s infrastructure often finds itself unable to handle the tourist inflow, and life turns especially chaotic when the local horticultural society holds its annual “Fruit Show” at the peak of the tourist season, hosted at Sim’s Park.
There are several scenic areas around Coonoor. Coonoor provides tourists with a panoramic view of Eastern and Western Ghats along with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. There are some classical viewpoints close to Coonoor notably Dolphin’s Nose, Lamb’s Rock and Lady Canning’s Seat.
Unfortunately “Development” has overtaken the town and hillsides are disappearing under construction activity. Some of the routes that were once quiet walks amid lush greenery have become walks among human settlements. The hill station has become a town.

Coonoor is home to the Pasteur Institute of India which produces rabies vaccines. It was started in 1907. After 1970, it supplies triple vaccine i.e., DPT vaccine for the entire India.
Coonoor has some Sericulture as well. The Government operates a Silk Farm, though this is largely a research facility. Floriculture and strawberry cultivation are taking root of late.
Coonoor is home to Homedale Tea Factory on Tiger Hill road. This factory headed by Raman Menon makes some of the best teas made in the Nilgiris.

Source: Wikipedia

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